While
France , commencing in Mexico, with the concurrence of Spain and the
silent consent and approbation of England, is preparing to make the most
out of the present unhappy condition of affairs in this country, and as
a matter of course is inviting as much of the attention of our people as
can be spared from the progress of the war to what is going on to the
south of us, there are reasons why we should also regard what results
are likely to follow from this conflict between the North and the South,
on the other side of the combatants. Canadian politics are just now
taking their tinge from the course of events, and demand almost if not
an equal degree of consideration, at the hands of both parties to this
internecine conflict, with those of Mexico.

There
has never been a time since the establishment of American independence
of Great Britain, in which the possibility of a portion if not all of
the Canadas being a part of the United States has not been considered
and discussed. As far as “the mother country” of British Canada is
concerned, that territory is nothing more or less than a very
expensively maintained depot for colonists, and so all Englishmen
consider it. But this province is the child of two mothers, a French as
well as an English, and the French Canadians look upon it as a home,
and, as a country, are proud of its history, and ambitious for its
future.

Taking
this view of the variant character of the two peoples who inhabit
Canada, the Journal des Debate, of Paris, suggests as a possible
thing that Upper Canada may be drawn in some degree towards eventual
annexation with the United States . . . [illegible] in the opinion of
that journal, to Lower Canada such a prospect is most abhorrent, even
when viewed in the perspective of ages to come. They consider—these
French Canadians—the confederation upon which they border as
containing within it the elements of decay, and do not recently
occurring events give some warrant for such an opinion? And they aspire
to something higher than being merged in its nationality. A free
confederation of all the provinces that compose the present British
America—no less—according to the high authority we have quoted, is
the object at which they are aiming. And a Union, composed of the
Canadas, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, Cape
Breton, Prince Edward’s, the territory of the Hudson’s Bay Company,
and British Columbia in the west, a reach embracing all the breadth of
the American continent, between the Atlantic and Pacific, (excepting
only that owned by Russia,) would be a somewhat formidable
confederation.

The
Journal des Debate alludes to the developments of this project,
which were made by Mssr. Tache, who was a Canadian Commissioner to the
great Paris exhibition in 1855, and who has since published his views
upon the subject. It is this author’s opinion that the Canadians are
diligently preparing themselves to sooner or later bear the weight of
their own destinies. We have not the space for these arguments in
detail, but they certainly do seem to be very forcible ones, and to be
most convincingly put.

To
the question of how England will regard such an immigration from France
as this policy invites, the reply is worthy of notice:

“Favorably,
without doubt, with that good sense and liberality which distinguish her
in the administration of her colonies. She comprehends that her
immediate interest, whatever may be the impenetrable secrets of the
future, invites her to fortify, in the heart of Canada, that national
patriotism which would repel all American invasion, should war ever
arise, with that thrilling of the heart which renders victory sure.
Should such a test arise, the local militia and disciplined volunteers
would form precious auxiliaries to the troops in garrison, which, even
if they numbered 20,000, could neither cove the frontier nor defend the
strategic points while a population of from eight to ten millions of
inhabitants, battling for their altars and firesides, would repulse the
onset of an entire people.”

If
it should occur that, among the consequences of the war in which the two
sections of a once united republic are now engaged, shall be the
establishment, south of us, of a powerful French empire, and north of us
of a rival Franco-Anglo confederation of States, an interest will be
added to the history of that war, which probably was not anticipated at
its commencement.

-----

What
Then?—The New York Times prophesies. Concluding an article
on the situation of affairs at the beginning o the current month, it
thus vaticinates:1

But
should the rebels evacuate Virginia and be forced back from
Corinth—what then? There can be no question as to their final course.
Judging from the excellent strategy of defence they have hitherto
displayed, they will, unless absolutely annihilated in a great battle,
seek to escape, by a continuance of the same tactics, into Mexico. There
they will find two parties engaged in war—the French seeking conquest,
the Mexicans defending their homes. If Jeff Davis and Beauregard can
succeed in crossing the Mississippi and Texas with even a hundred
thousand soldiers, with them they will easily hold a balance of power,
and can found in the Valley of Mexico the seat of an empire which shall
become the traditional enemy of the Great Republic.

-----

The
Old Game.—The process by which all the troubles that have gathered
so fearfully upon us were superinduced by the fanatics of the
abolitionist States, are still in full play, we see, at Washington.
Every day we see such a record under the Federal Congressional head as
the following:

Mr.
Sumner, of Massachusetts, (Rep.,) presented a petition, signed by nearly
8000 women, for the emancipation of the slaves.

Mr.
Cowan, of Pennsylvania, (Rep.,) presented a petition from the Women’s
Society of Friends, for emancipation.

The
old anti-Texas, anti-slavery-in-the-Territories, and anti-slavery in the
District of Columbia game, the beneficial fruits of which we are now
enjoying.

MONDAYJUNE 23,
1862THE
SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN (MA)

Gallant
Fight in Arkansas.TWO REBEL
BATTERIES CAPTURED.

An
expedition composed of the gunboats St. Louis, Lexington, Conestoga
and MoundCity, with transports carrying the 43d and 46th
Indiana regiments, under Colonel Fitch were sent from Memphis, some days
since to remove obstructions from White river. On the 17th the
expedition reached St. Charles, 86 miles above the mouth, where the
rebels had erected a battery. An engagement ensued, lasting an hour and
a half. While the gunboats engaged the batteries, troops under Col.
Fitch landed a short distance below and proceeded to storm the place.
During the cannonading a ball entered the boiler of the Mound City,
causing a fearful explosion and loss of life. The crew consisted of 175
of whom 125 were killed and wounded. Capt. Keltey, the flag officer, was
badly scalded, but it is thought he will recover. Col. Fitch’s charge
upon the batteries was a perfect success, riving the enemy out at the
point of the bayonet. The rebel loss was 125 killed and wounded, and 30
prisoners.

-----

Miscellaneous
War News.

Col.
Henry S. Briggs, of the Massachusetts 10th, has been nominated to a
brigadier generalship, for good conduct at the battle of Fair Oaks.

Gen.
McClellan has issued a humane order forbidding all fast driving of
public horses and mules, except in cases of necessity. Trans will not
move faster than a walk, except under written orders to the officer or
wagon master in charge. Officers sending mounted messengers with
dispatches, which are to be carried at a faster pace than a walk, will
indicate on the envelope the gait the messenger is to take, whether a
trot or a gallop. The general has named his headquarters Camp Lincoln.
Congress should appoint a special committee to see to it that this
consideration for mules is not carried to excess.

A
member of the 30th Massachusetts regiment writes from Baton Rouge to the
Boston Journal: “Our companies occupy the Senate chamber and
the hall of the representatives. Our officers use the secretary of
state, treasury, and other official rooms. The colonel uses the
governor’s suite of rooms for his headquarters. Company A, with which
I am attached, occupies the secretary of state’s room, which is about
25 by 35 feet, airy and furnished in beautiful style, as are all the
rooms in the building. In our quarters we found several commissions
signed by Gov. Moore, which I have taken the liberty of filling out and
commissioning several members of the battalion, knowing that there were
several if not more who would like commissions."2

All
reports go to show that for a month past Shields’ division has
experienced excessive hardships. A correspondent writing from Front
Royal says: “Shields’ troops look much worse for wear and tear. Some
of the regiments have not more than 300 men left. I was with them from
Luray, and the retreat was made in good order. Shields did all that
mortal man could do. He was completely overpowered, and his men were
worn out by hard marching. Clark’s battery fought like tigers. They
fought till their ammunition was out, and the loads of their revolvers
were exhausted, and then they took stones from the roads, and threw them
at the advance of the enemy. The paymaster here is paying off Shields’
men. They had no pay since January, and are destitute of clothing. Many
of them are barefooted, and no shoes can be got at this place.”

Capt.
Atkinson of company C, of the 50th Indiana volunteers, with 20 men,
captured on Saturday last, 6200 pounds of powder at Sycamore mills, 30
miles below Nashville, and five miles north of the Cumberland river. The
powder was taken up to the city on Saturday afternoon. The company also
stopped at Fort Zollicoffer and brought off a 32-pound gun.

Major
H. Hawks has been chosen by the Kentucky travelling legislature
provisional (rebel) governor of that state, in place of George W.
Johnson, who was killed in battle at Pittsburgh Landing. The rebel
papers congratulate the people of Kentucky upon the election of old
Hawks to the executive chair. At last accounts he was making tracks from
Corinth, Miss., towards the Alabama line.

When
our fleet arrived in sight of Memphis, the rabble of the city gathered
in a great crowd and proceeded to the jail, in order to demolish it. It
was such a vile and filthy place that they dreaded to be incarcerated in
it, where the Union prisoners had long been confined. Not having powder
to blow it up, they procured ladders and got on top of it and tore it
down. The building is now a complete wreck.

A
federal prisoner at Macon, Ga., writes from that place under date [of]
23d ult., as follows: “The confederate states have $18,000,000 worth
of army stores here, and, in my opinion, they manufacture cannon and
small arms here in considerable quantities, as there are extensive
machine shops and iron works here. They even have a steel pen
manufactory here, and I am now writing with one of them—the best steel
pen I ever handled.”

Commodore
Foote, writing from Cleveland, Ohio, takes occasion to express his
sincere gratification with the movement of Senator Grimes to abolish the
spirit ration from the naval service. He declares the senator to be a
real benefactor to the service.

It
is stated that after Gen. Fremont’s army left Harrisonburg on June 12,
the citizens determined to celebrate the event by an illumination. In
the evening, by the aid of 200 of Ashby’s cavalry, who had come into
town, every house was blazing with light in honor of the evacuation.
Fifty-three of our wounded and sick, besides six hundred and two
previously abandoned, were left behind necessarily. In Harrisonburg, as
has been the case in many other towns in the valley, the women refused
to furnish our soldiers with so much as a loaf of bread, while they were
busy baking for the rebels, whom they boastingly said would soon make
their appearance.

The
steamer Connecticut, which has arrived at New York, reports that
when passing Charleston, they noticed the flags at Fort Sumter and other
fortifications at half-mast, indicating the death of some important
military officer.

TUESDAYJUNE 24, 1862PORTLAND
DAILY ADVERTISER (ME)

The
London Times Scolding Canada.

We
think the following article from the London Times, of June 6th,
will be read with not a little surprise, plainly telling Canada, as it
does, that she must take care of herself, should the United States ever
make an assault upon her:

It
is difficult to read without emotion of some kind the announcement that
at the present time, and under existing circumstances, the Canadian
Parliament has refused a second reading to the bill for establishing an
efficient militia for the defense of the province. Let us make all
possible deductions and allowances before we give way to emotion—be it
regret, surprise or indignation. The militia bill which was rejected
proposed to raise a force of 50,000 men and a reserve of 50,000 more.

The
finances of the province are in an exceedingly embarrassed and
discouraging state. The revenue is diminished, partly, no doubt, by the
calamity of the American war, but partly by an injudicious protective
policy, which has straitened the in come without developing the
resources of the colony. The expenditure is enormous, inflated by a
succession of jobs, by which, parliamentary support has been purchased
for embarrassed ministries. At the time when the colony is called upon
to incur heavy expenses for the support of its militia the revenue is
estimated in round numbers at $7,000,000, and the expenditure at
$12,000,000, leaving a deficit of $5,000,000 to be supplied by fresh
taxation or by loans.

In
the first place, the late Parliament of Canada has shown itself signally
wanting in those instincts of liberty which urge a free people to fly to
arms on the least surmise of danger from foreign enemies. It is to us
inconceivable that 8,000,000 of civilized people can watch the
explosions of the great volcano without realizing to themselves the fact
that the fiery flood which is desolating so large and so fair a portion
of the earth’s surface may come even to them, and, were it not for
what we have seen, we should have thought it equally impossible for them
to perceive this danger without taking every measure in their power to
anticipate and prevent its approach. The only solution that can be
offered for so strange a fact is that Canada has learnt to trust to
others for the performance of services for which weaker and less wealthy
populations are wont to rely exclusively on themselves. We have
intersected Canada with canals intended for her military defense, and
paid for out of the imperial treasury. We have always garrisoned her
fortresses and paid for their repairs and alterations, as if those
fortresses had been everything to us and nothing to the people in whose
country they are situate.

If
Canada has wholly emancipated herself from the British empire, she would
not by that means emancipate herself from the imperious duty of
self-defense. If Canada remains ever so firmly attached to England, the
duty of self-defense will still cling to her. It is time to speak out,
and to dispel the illusions which have misled men’s minds in other and
quieter times.

People
have thought that, if separated from England, Canada would have no
further concerns with questions of war or peace such as she has at
present, and that the only chance of her being involved in hostilities
is her present connection with Great Britain. We are disposed to hold
the exact contrary of this, and think it far more likely that Great
Britain should be involved in war on account of Canada than that Canada
should be involved in war on account of Great Britain. Let Canada look
carefully at her own circumstances, let her statesmen study the tone of
the American press, and the strange and momentous position of affairs on
the American continent. How long will the present civil war afford
employment to 700,000 armed men? Or, if the war itself should not abate,
how long will the American government be able to bear the vast strain on
their finances which the payment of such an army implies? And, when the
time has at last arrived when, either from the termination of civil
strife or the failure of money and credit, the United States are no
longer able to support their vast army, what is to prevent that army
from marching toward the northern frontier, and satiating its revenge,
its love of plunder and of conquest, in the rich and unwasted provinces
of Canada?

Let
not the Canadians, on the other hand, believe that they have in their
present connection with Great Britain a sufficient protection against
invasion without taking any trouble to defend themselves. Such an
opinion is founded on a mistake both of our power and our will. It is
not in our power to send forth from this little island a military force
sufficient to defend the frontier of Canada against the numerous armies
which have learnt arms and discipline in the great school of the present
civil war. Our resources are unequal to so large a concentration of
force on a single point; our empire is too vast, our population too
small, our antagonist too powerful. But, if we had the power, it is
quite certain that we should not have the will. Opinion in England is
perfectly decided that in the connection between the mother country and
the colony, the advantage is infinitely more on the side of the child
than the parent. We no longer monopolize the trade of the colonies; we
no longer job their patronage. We cannot hope from them any assistance
for defending our own shores, while we are bound to assist in protecting
theirs. We cannot even obtain from this very colony of Canada reasonably
fair treatment for our manufactures, which are taxed twenty-five per
cent. on their value, to increase a revenue which the colonies will not
apply to our, or even their own, defense. There is little reciprocity in
such a relation. Should the colony wish to put an end to it, we would
never draw the sword to defend it, and, if Canada will not fight to
protect its independence from foreign invasion, neither will England.
The question is not one for Canada dissolving or maintaining its
connection with Great Britain. That it may dissolve almost at pleasure.
The question is of destroying or maintaining its own liberty and
independence—of being a self-governed commonwealth, or a member or,
perhaps—as is talked of fore the South—a subjugated territory of the
United States.

WEDNESDAYJUNE 25,
1862MASSACHUSETTS
WEEKLY SPY

The
Recruiting Service.—We understand that recruiting officers are now
authorized to receive volunteers between the ages of eighteen and
forty-five—the limit being extended ten years. The required height is
five feet, two and one half inches, or more. Lieut. Henry Bacon has been
authorized to recruit for the 34th regiment.

-----

The
Prospect at Richmond.—A distinguished senator, who carefully
inquired into the condition of things in McClellan’s army a few days
ago, stated yesterday that he had no doubt of a triumphant issue. The
quiet that prevailed in the camps was almost appalling; the officers
seemed eager for the hour of conflict, and the men were instinct with
life and with hope.3
As a proof of this we give the following extract of a letter from one of
the heroes of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, received here yesterday:

“There
is something brewing in Dixie.4
All last night we could hear them cheering and shouting in their camps,
and the cars kept running to and from Richmond. Well, let them come! And
whether they act in the dastardly, sneaking manner they have heretofore
acted, or give our boys a fair chance, the result need not be feared at
home.”--Washington Chronicle, 21st.

-----

General
News Summary.BOSTON AND
VICINITY.

In
Boston, on Friday, Horace F. Leland, a clerk in the employ of Daniel
Deshon & Son, 19 Doane street, ran way with $2000 in gold, which he
had been entrusted with. Late that night the detectives followed him and
traced him to Nashua, where they found young Leland and a female
companion at a hotel, waiting dinner, which he had ordered to be served
in a private room. Leland was arrested, and upwards of $1700 of the
stolen gold was found in the reticule of the woman who accompanied him.
Saturday night the pair were brought to Boston, and Leland was committed
to the Tombs.

Urgent
calls are now made upon the United States arsenal at Watertown,5
by the government, for powder, and the establishment is in operation on
the Sabbath as well as the other days of the week. The kind of powder
wanted is that used for siege guns.

The
ship North America, which arrived at Boston, on Saturday, has on
board the bells which were contributed by the people of Louisiana, for
the prosecution of the war against the Union, under the proclamation
issued by Beauregard. They were found in the custom house at New
Orleans, and are reported to be worth $50,000.

ESSEX
COUNTY.

A
number of ladies had their pockets picked at the Sunday school gathering
in Lawrence, Wednesday. There is evidently a gang of pickpockets who
follow in the wake of all large gatherings for the purpose of stealing,
and females seem to be most generally the victims.

The
Newburyport Herald says that the show business is reviving, and
all the shoe towns feel the good effects. In Lynn, Marblehead,
Haverhill, and a hundred other towns in this state, work is abundant,
and the working people are few; wages have advanced, and the
manufacturers refuse to take orders for the future at present prices, so
that wages may be better yet. Real estate is advancing; the tradesmen
are hopeful, and everything looks first rate.

HAMPSHIRE
COUNTY.

Amherst
has sent into the army about 100 persons, and there are now in town, by
the assessor’s returns, 571 persons who are liable to be called on to
do military duty.

HAMPDEN
COUNTY.

The
usually quiet little town of Holland is just now thrown into a state of
excitement over a seduction case, in which a prominent singer in the
choir of the Congregational church and a lady singer in the Methodist
choir are brought before the public. Both belong to the first families
of Holland, and much sympathy is manifested for the girl, who is soon to
become a mother. Tar and feathers are openly talked of for the deceiver,
[but] his friends have compromised the matter with money.—Palmer
Journal.

BERKSHIRE
COUNTY.

Three
thirsty highwaymen relieved Deacon Chambers of Williamstown, of a load
of beer a few evenings since, which he was just taking home from Adams.
The deacon will have to get another barrel to do his haying with.

NEW
HAMPSHIRE.

The
London American remarks that the washing machine, sent by the
Canterbury Shakers to the World’s Fair, is attracting much attention.
A scheme is on foot for introducing it into a laundry on an extensive
scale, in London.

VERMONT.

Hiram
Atkins of the Bellows Falls Argus has been arrested for
publishing in the last number of his paper, an obscene article. The
Vermont Phœnix says the article was a little too much for the
readers of that notoriously reckless journal.

RHODE
ISLAND.

We
learn from the Providence Press, that Mrs. Charles Garvin, residing in
that city, on a recent morning, rejoiced the heart of her liege lord
with a present of three fine boys, who are all, with their excellent
mother, “doing well.”6

CONNECTICUT.

A
black insect, very prolific, is badly injuring the trees and shrubs at
Hartford. It is hatched out of eggs laid on the under side of leaves, in
quantities absolutely enormous, and curls up the foliage and even the
stems and small branches, so as to almost ruin the tree.

The
Colt’s arms manufacturing company at Hartford have just completed a
pair of pistols at the order of the president, who will present them to
the king of Denmark. The best steel and black walnut compose the barrels
and stocks, and gold and silver ornaments are laid with the greatest
profusion. The weapons bear the inscription: “From the president of
the United States to the king of Denmark,” and are contained in a
rosewood case heavily trimmed with silver. The whole cost of the
president is $900.

One
of the Colebrook saw-mills is now completing an order for 40,000 feet of
1-4 inch boards, to be used in the manufacture of toy-drums.

WAR
ITEMS.

The
Charleston Mercury of the 7th announces that it has sent its
press to Columbia, fearing to risk it in the city during the prospective
bombardment. This is a fact significant of the condition of the public
mind in the city.

THURSDAYJUNE 26,
1862
THE
PITTSFIELD SUN (MA)

The
War Intelligence.FROM
MEMPHIS.

Memphis,
June 19.—Nothing of general interest has occurred within the last
24 hours. Several unimportant arrests have been made, but the city is
otherwise quiet.

Two
hundred persons took the oath yesterday; thirty-five of them were
soldiers.

Memphis,
June 20.—A Greensboro (Miss.,) paper, of the 15th, says that
information from Okibhega county states that the Negroes are arming
themselves rapidly for the purpose of killing the whites. On the 18th of
June a plot was discovered in time to be frustrated.

Advices
from Vicksburg of the 17th, by way of Grenada, state that no active
demonstration had been made by the Federal fleet since its retirement.
Several gunboats appeared on the 15th from below. Report says
that 5,000 Federal troops, with gunboats, leave Baton Rouge on Friday
for Vicksburg.

Memphis,
June 21.—Col. Slack still retains command of this city. He has
issued an order requiring the Board of Aldermen, Mayor, Recorder and all
other city officers to take the oath of allegiance within three days,
and in default they will be regarded as sympathizers with traitors and
arrested and treated as such.

FROM
THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

McClellan’s
Headquarters, June 22,--8P.M..—This has been a remarkably quiet
day, considering the close proximity of the two contending forces. Brisk
skirmishing ensued all day yesterday and at night everything indicated
that a general engagement was at hand. The enemy advanced in strong
force on our lines during last night, but being promptly met soon
retired.

The
Richmond papers of yesterday contain a dispatch from Montgomery, Ala.,
dated 17th, stating that Gen. Beauregard and staff had arrived there on
their way to Richmond, and it was said that they were to be followed by
a large portion of the army ofthe
Mississippi, and that a sufficient force had been left under the
invincible Bragg to check any advances by the vandals under Gen.
Halleck.

FROM
NEW ORLEANS.

New
York, June 22.—Gen. Butler has issued an order to all citizens who
hold places of trust, which calls for doing any legal act whatever, to
take the oath of allegiance. The same must be the case with all citizens
requiring protection, privilege passport, to have money paid to them or
benefit of the power of the U. S., except for the protection from
personal violence. Foreign residents must swear or affirm to do no act
or be privy to none that shall aid or comfort the enemies of the U. S.
so long as their Government remained at peace with the United States.

FROM
MISSOURI.

St.
Louis, June 22.—Gen. Schofield, commanding the Federal forces in
Missouri, has issued an order holding the rebels and rebel sympathizers
responsible in their property, and, if need be in their persons, for
damages hereafter committed by guerillas or marauding parties in this
State. $5,000 will be exacted for every soldier or Union citizen killed,
$1,000 to $5,000 for every one wounded, and the full value of all
property destroyed or stolen by guerillas will be assessed and collected
from the class of persons above mentioned residing in the vicinity of
the place where the act may be committed.

The
sums thus collected will be paid to the legal heirs of the soldier or
citizen killed, or to the wounded or the rightful owner of the property
destroyed or stolen. This order is very stringent, and abundant
machinery is provided to carry it into effect.

The
Navy.—The Secretary of the Navy has sent to Congress an important
communication upon the construction of armored ships. He urges Congress to
take steps without delay for supplying armature and heavy ordnance for
ships, and the substitution of iron for wood, in whole or in part. He urges
that the Government should build its own ships-of-war and manufacture its
own arms, and directs attention to the inadequacy of present navy-yards to
supply demands. Great improvements are demanded, especially in view of the
great efforts made by maritime nations to convert wooden into iron-clad
vessels, to maintain the supremacy of the seas. The Government, says Mr.
Welles, should be independent of private establishments; and he recommends
an appropriation of two millions of dollars to prepare the navy-yards and
material for building iron-clad vessels. This appropriation now may save
hundreds of millions and the honor of the nation, hereafter.

-----

Deferred
Items.

C.W.
King, of Brunswick, Me., has drawn within the space of a quarter of an inch,
a full rigged ship. With a magnifying glass the ropes, ratlines,
reef-points, port-holes, and even a man in the rigging, which cannot be
distinguished by the naked eye, are brought out with much distinction.

The
quantity of ginseng sent from the State of Minnesota, yearly, is very great.
The aggregate value of this year’s exportation from that State is
estimated at $100,000. It is all for the Chinese market. The price paid for
the green root is sixteen cents a pound.

A
prize of twenty thousand francs has been offered at Paris, for the best
essay on the “regeneration of bone,” in the hope that, eventually,
medical science will no longer have to resort to amputation.

Peter
C. Real was shot in New York on Friday, at his place of business, by a woman
named Mary Stewart, or as she claims to be, Real’s wife. Real died almost
instantly; the reason given by the woman for the deed, is that Real refused
to support her, and paid improper attention to other women.

Seventy-four
bales of cotton were sold in St. Louis on Friday last, by order of Maj. Gen.
Halleck, on Government account. The average price paid was 27½ cents per
pound.

Alanson
Porter, of Montague, has a cat that some time April last, found a nest of
young squirrels in the barn, which she brought in one at a time and ate,
until she had eaten all but the last, which she carried and gave to some
young kittens she had. The kittens didn’t want to eat it, and they adopted
it into the family, and the young squirrel still lives and thrives.

A
member of the Massachusetts 13th, after describing the terrible sufferings
of their retreat and forced marches in Virginia, says his breakfast that
morning consisted of coffee, with a little meal. He speaks of the capture of
a venerable goose, while on the march, as an unusual run of luck, but its
extreme toughness caused the soldiers to believe that it might possibly
trace its existence to the days of the early settlement of the country.

FRIDAYJUNE 27,
1862THE
LIBERATOR (MA)

“On
to Richmond”—Our Advance Begins!

Dispatches
from Gen. McClellan, June 26, state—“The enemy are making a
desperate resistance to the advance of our picket lines. Kennedy’s and
one half of Hooker’s divisions are where I want them. Our men are
behaving splendidly; the enemy are fighting well, also. This is not a
battle—merely an affair of Heintzelman’s corps supported by Keyes,
and thus far all goes well, and we hold every foot of ground we have
gained. If we succeed in what we have undertaken, it will be a very
important advantage we have gained. Loss not large thus far. The
fighting up to this time has been done by Gen. Hooker’s division,
which has behaved as usual—that is, most handsomely.”

Gen.
McClellan’s last dispatch, June 6—5 P.M., says—“The affair is
over, and we have gained our point fully, with but little loss,
notwithstanding the strong opposition. Our men have done all that could
be desired. The affair was partially decided by two guns that Capt.
Dusenbury brought gallantly into action, under very difficult
circumstances.”

-----

Our
Country, Right or Wrong.

The
editor of the New York Observer, writing from Columbus, Ohio,
where he has been attending the sessions of the (Old School) General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, comments as follows upon the
suggestion of Governor Andrew to the Secretary of War, that enlistments
in Massachusetts would be discouraged and retarded, if the soldiers
understood that they were forbidden to fire into the enemy’s magazine.

“While
we were in session, we received the papers containing the response of
the Massachusetts Governor Andrew to the call for troops. We read it out
here in Ohio with shame and deep regret. In the midst of a loyal,
patriotic people, who are willing to give their all for their country,
it was most humiliating to read from the Governor of the Old Bay State
that f the President would do so and so, and this, that and the other
thing could be done, &c., &c., then the people would come to the
help of the Government. Shame on such patriotism! Away with such
half-way patriots when we are at war. What if Governor Tod, of Ohio,
should prescribe the conditions on which he would send his troops, and
Morgan, of New York, make other conditions, and Curtin, of Pennsylvania,
put in his ifs and buts, what would become of the country
and the cause? I confess myself ashamed of the position which the
Massachusetts Governor takes, and trust that the patriotic press of
Boston will utter the indignant sentiment of a misrepresented people.
Let us give no quarter to disloyalty, whether it shows its miscreant
head in the East or the West, the North or the South. ‘Our country,
our whole country,’ is the motto of every right man.”

-----

Secretary
Welles on Fugitives. Secretary Welles has addressed the following
letter to Commodore Rowan, commanding the flotilla in the North Carolina
Sounds:

Navy
Department,
Washington, June 8, 1862.

Sir,--In
your dispatch of the 17th ult. allusion is made to a conversation with
Mr. Brooks, at Elizabeth City, N.C., relative to his efforts to obtain a
favorite servant, supposed to be with the United States forces. As
similar application may frequently be made, it is proper to remind you
that persons who have enlisted in the naval service cannot be discharged
without the consent of the Department, and that no one should be
“given up” against his wishes.

Very
respectfully,

Gideon
Welles

The
President has approved the act passed by Congress to secure freedom in
all the Territories of the United States. The bill consists of a single
section, and provides: “That from and after the passage of this act,
there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the
Territories of the United States now existing, or which may at any time
hereafter be formed or acquired by the United States, otherwise than in
punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted.”

-----

The
trial of Appleton Oaksmith, formerly of Portland, on a charge of fitting
out a vessel for the slave trade, was concluded before the U.S. Circuit
Court in Boston, on Saturday, 14th inst., and a verdict of “guilty”
rendered.

-----

An
apology is made for refusing the use of Gen. Lee’s mansion in Virginia
as a hospital for the use of our wounded soldiers, who are lying in the
miasmatic swamps around it, on the ground that it is out of regard to
the associations with the memory of Washington, and not to the property
of a traitor. The apology is worse than the original act. No property is
too sacred to be used for the benefit of human beings. King David took
the shew bread from the altar, and was held blameless. The Catholic
Church, in the early periods of Christianity, took pride in selling the
sacred vessels of the churches for the ransom of slaves. To make such an
excuse as the above for holding a fine house sacred from human use, is
contemptible. Were Washington himself alive, he would blush at the
conduct of his descendants.—New Bedford Standard.

-----

The
following is related of the Yankee soldiers and Secesh viragos at
Norfolk: “At Norfolk, a woman passing by two Yankee soldiers, gathered
hastily her robes close to her side to prevent her garments being
polluted by touching a soldier’s coat. The soldiers stopped, and one
said loudly, ‘Ah, but a nice kind of woman is that; don’t you see
she has got some contagious disease, and is afraid we Union soldiers
shall catch it from her?’ The Secesh female looked mad enough at this
interpretation of her folly. Another soldier in passing on the sidewalk
was also met by a similar Secesh woman, who deliberately marched into
the street to avoid contact with him. ‘Excuse me, Madam,’ said the
soldier, ‘but I am a Union soldier, and not a Secesh
soldier, such as you have been used to, and so am not lousy.’ “

-----

Some
of the loyal border State members did not like the vote of the
House, by which Robert Smalls and his heroic brother contrabands were
awarded one half the value of the Steamboat Planter, which they
ran off from Charleston harbor, and delivered to the U.S. fleet. Mr.
Crittenden was particularly outraged at the “unconstitutionality” of
the proceedings. When the rules were suspended for the purpose of taking
up the bill, that gentleman took up his hat and left the hall, followed
by some of the other loyal Kentucky members. At the door, a
friend expostulated with him, but the testy old gentleman pushed
muttering by. Only nine voted against the bill, among them Vallandigham,
of course, and Phillip Johnson of Pennsylvania. Many of those who
opposed confiscation and emancipation on the ground of
unconstitutionality a moment before, voted to grant Robert Smalls his
freedom and half the value of the Planter, thereby confirming the
right of Robert and all other loyal South Carolinians to confiscate
vessels and slaves, a power they deny Congress and the President.

SATURDAYJUNE 28, 1862THE
SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN (MA)

Gen.
Hunter’s Negro Regiment.—Mr. Pierce, late special agent of the
treasury department for the management of the deserted plantations and
Negroes on the South Carolina islands, finds fault in his report with
Gen. Hunter for taking the contrabands from their work to form his Negro
regiment. It seems that the Negroes did not volunteer, but Gen. Hunter
sent a platoon of soldiers to collect them from the plantations, and
that although some of them were satisfied to remain in the military
service, a portion of them are detained against their will. Mr. Pierce
says he “entered a protest against the order and its harsh
execution,” but Gen. Hunter took no notice of it. Mr. Pierce’s
objection was that it disarranged the work on the plantations. He also
objected to forcing the Negroes into the army.

Thus
far the regiment has been employed only in manual labor, the unloading
of vessels and other heavy work. Arms have not been put into their
hands, and nobody seems to know whether Gen. Hunter intends to arm them
or not. The Negro soldiers do not wear the gay Zouave rig sent out for
them. Their uniform consists of a dark blue coat, blue trousers, conical
broad brimmed black hat, and black haversack—no stripe or trimmings of
any sort, and no bright buttons. The general effect must be exceedingly
dark; and this is heightened by an occasional glimpse of the stout
unbleached cotton shirt which every man wears. The regiment has its
regular field and staff officers. The line officers are taken from among
the non-commissioned officers of the white regiments, more care being
given to select men for their moral influence and power of control than
for military qualities.

-----

Allotments
of Soldiers’ Pay.—The allotment rolls of the 10th Massachusetts
regiment have been received at Boston, and include the sum of $6000,
which will nearly all be distributed among the western counties where
this regiment was raised. The rolls were all forwarded on Tuesday to the
treasurers of the several towns where the interested parties reside.
Upon their receipt by the town treasurers, the law requires that a
notice be sent to those who have money due them, who will call and sign
the roll, which is to be returned to the office of the state treasurer,
Many of the soldiers have directed their money to remain on deposit in
the state treasury at 5 per cent interest, subject to be drawn out at
any time when wanted. The entire arrangement seems to be working
satisfactorily, and furnishes a cheap and safe mode by which the soldier
can dispose of his surplus funds.

-----

Major
Marsh.—From the fact that Capt. Miller of the Shelburne Falls
company has been appointed major of the Tenth regiment, in place of
Major Marsh, cashiered, we are to presume that Major Marsh has acted the
part of a coward, and has told some rather large stories. We have told
all that we have heard in his vindication, and now record his disgrace
with regret. It is quite too bad that any coward should go forth from
Massachusetts, and very sad that he should be a prominent officer in so
good a regiment as the Tenth. Well, it may be hard to be killed, but we
hope there are not many of us who would not esteem the burden which
Marsh has to carry more grievous than death. The stigma can never pass
away.

Have
We a Congress?—Mr. Olin, one of the republican representatives
from New York, is reported to have said in debate, the other day, that
“there has never been a Congress assembled with which he has had any
acquaintance, in which it was more easy to thrust through measures
without consideration, without debate, ill advised and to the prejudice
of the best interests of the country, than the present.” This is
rather sweeping; we are not sure that it is just. But it is remarkable
what general indifference there is as to the proceedings of Congress.
Nobody seems to care very much what Congress does or what it omits, and
the agent of the associated press considers its daily proceedings of too
little consequence to telegraph an intelligible account of them to the
eastern papers. A bill to free the slaves of rebels—one of the most
important bills of the session, if it amounts to anything at all—was
passed by the House more than a week ago, yet nobody has published the
bill or a full and accurate account of it, and those who were urgent for
the measure seem to have lost their interest in it now that it is likely
to succeed.

This
is partly owing to the feeling that the real business of the government
for the present is the prosecution of the war, and that the talk and
legislation of Congress are of little consequence except as they
contribute to this end. There is also a pretty general disgust with the
disposition manifested to spend a great deal of time over frivolous
matters, or such as can only do mischief. But at length a tax bill has
been completed, and as many of the members desire a process, there is a
prospect that the necessary legislation will be completed and that
Congress will soon adjourn. It will be pleasant to know that the members
are resting and recuperating at their various homes, where they will
have an opportunity to come into direct contact with the people and
learn how they feel about public affairs. Not a few of them need light
on this subject.

-----

Major
Marsh Asks a Suspension of Opinion.—We have no disposition to do
injustice to Major Marsh, and we cheerfully print this note, asking a
suspension of public opinion in his case:

New
Haven, Ct., June 21.

I
notice in your paper, this date, that Capt. Miller has been appointed
major of the 10th Massachusetts, in place of myself, cashiered. I ask
you—as you say that everything you have heard in my vindication has
been freely given to the public—to simply say from me that I was not
cashiered, and when all the circumstances are known my friends will feel
far different from what it seems they do now. As to any stories that may
be or have been reported, I will with pleasure show you, and any one who
desires, testimonials from every officer of the 10th regiment, besides
some from other sources, that will give the denial to many reports,--I
don’t know whether all, for it seems that one report makes two in a
short passage. All I ask is for my friends to wait and hear all sides.
Yours truly, W.R. Marsh.

1
“vaticinates”
means “to prophesy.”

2
Thomas
O. Moore was the Confederate governor of Louisiana,
so the commissions would have been for positions in the Confederate army
or State Militia; the writer “issued” them as a joke.

3This
is the adjectival form, not much used today, meaning “filled or
infused with some animating principle,” as in “instinct with
life.”

4What

was brewing had a name: Robert E. Lee, who was about to unleash the
series of assaults known as the Seven Days Battles, which would push
McClellan away from Richmond, and end with the Army of the Potomac
cornered atop Malvern Hill, saved only by a handful of Navy gunboats.

5
The
buildings, which predate the Civil War, remain today as Arsenal Mall.

6
And
yet, despite this feat, she is identified only by her husband’s name,
(oops--“liege lord”).